Humidifying apparatus



G. D. DOHERTY HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS July l1, 1933.

3 sheets-sheet 1 Filed NOV. ll. 1931 iii AZTUHN 5 G. D. DOHERTY HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS July 11, 1933.

Filed Nov. 11 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 11, 1933. G. D. DOHERTY HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Filed Nov. l1 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Milupa/5L,

AZTUHNEVE .Patented July -ll, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE D. DOHERTY, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO DOHERTY-IBBEHM COMPANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HMYIDIFYIN G APPARATUS VApplication led November 1l, 1931.

This invention relates to an apparatus for heating and lnunidifying the atmosphere of rooms or other enclosures, and has special reference to imyn'ovenlents upon the means shown and described in my Patent No. 1,760,976 dated June 3, 1930.

More particularly this invention has reference to an apparatus comprising sections for circulating a heating medium which sec- 4v tions are constructed and arranged to accommodate a lnnnidifying medilnn in close thermal relation with a heating medium to maintain a desired degree oi relative humidity and tempera-ture.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the character indicated for heating and hunlidifying the atmosphere wherein the humidiiying medium is in direct contact with the surface of the sections in which the heating medium is circulated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character indicated wherein the humidifying lnedium may ow from an upper section to a lower section with substantially no direct drop from one seetion to another, thereby obviating any7 noise or spattering which might be caused by the direct drop of the humidifying medium from one section to another. This is accomplished by providing each section with an inclined portion extending below the section down which the hunidifying medium flows to the section thereunder.

A further object otthis invention is to.

provide a. heating and humidifying section whereby the iow of the humidifying medium will be towa rd the dmvmvardly extending, inclined discharge portion thereof.

Still another object is to provide a heating and lmniidii'ying apparatus wihicrein there is a constant circulation of air about said sections and the humidifying medium therein.

A still further object is to provide an apparatos wherein a portion thereof may be used to heat and humidity the air circulating therethrough, or, if desired, it may be used merely to superheat the air which has already been heated and humidiiied by the lower sections.

Serial No. 574,312.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which latter:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the apparatus with the front of the casing broken away and showing one of the heating and humidifying sections partially in secion; 4

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of Fig. 60 1 showing the casing therefor in section;

Fig. 3 is a view taken 'on the line of 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the heating sections embodied in the apparatus; 66

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another form of section;

. Fig. 6 is a erspective view showing two sections of still another form arranged in staggered relation;

Fig. 7 is aA perspective view of a section similar to those shown in Fig. 6 but being provided with two air lpassageways instead of one; Y

Fig.,8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus formed-of similar sections connected together; and

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of another form of apparatus in which diierent sections are alternately ar- 8@ ranged to provide a tortuous path for the air.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The construction shown therein 85 comprises a group of superposed horizontally extending heating sections 1 and 2. Each of the sections 1 and 2 is provided with similarly positioned annular shoulders 3 having the inner faces thereof threaded. Nipples i are threaded into the shoulders 3vto connect the ends of the castings 1 and 2 together in a unified structure to form a continuous passageway therethrough for a heating medium.

Plugs 5 are threaded into the upper shoulders on the upper section 1 to prevent the escape of the heating medium therethrough. The lower end of one of the headers, thus formed, is connected to an inlet 6 and the. 100

lower end of the other is connected to an outlet 7. With this construction, the heating medium enters through the inlet G and circulates through the Various sections and then escapes through the outlet 7.

' The lowermost heating section la is provided with legs 8 or other suitable supporting means upon which the weight of the entire structure rests. This section is likewise made substantially larger than the otherl sections so that if there is any overflow of the heating medium from the sections above, the same will be caught in the lowermost section from -which it may escape through the drain 9.

One form of section embodied in the present invention is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. These sections comprise a casting having longitudinally extending passageways 10 extending therethrough in communication with the headers formed by means of the nipples 4 inter-connecting adjacent heating sections.

An air passageway 11 is formed centrally of the sides of the section and an upwardly extending flange 12 is provided about the upper edges of the section to form a recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium on the upper face of the casting. A flange 13 is also provided around the passageway 11 to prevent the escape of any of the humidifying medium through the passageway.

- Each of the castings, except the lowermost one, is provided with a preferably troughlike spillway 15 at one'side, preferably an end, which extends a distance below the rest of the casting. The sides of the spillway are preferably tapered so as to converge towards the center thereof as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. When the sections are connected together, the lower end of the spillway 15 extends downwardly to a point slightly above the upper surface of the casting next below, so that the overflow of the humidifying liquid from al casting will flow down the sides of the spillway into the recessed portion of the casting thereunder with substantially no direct drop of the humidifying medium.

While I have shown and described a particular form of spillway, it is to be understood that other forms may be used without departing from the scope of this invention.

The flange 12 also extends about the edges of the upper end of the spillway 15, the height of the flange being lowest there, so that any excess of the humidifying medium will flow over the flange at this point and down through the spillway 15. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the flange- 12 may be of uniform height throughout except for the portion about the upper edges of the spillway 15. Here the flange may taper downwardly toward the inner end of the spillway where it is preferably about 1/8 in height. If desred, the whole flange may gradually taper Vfrom the side opposite the spillway down to at opposite ends of alternate sections so that the humidifying medium enters the recess in the upper portion of the casting at one end, flows to the other end, out of the spillway 15 and into the end of the casting thereunder, at which point the flange 12 is highest, thus reversing the direction of flow through the alternate castings and being discharged from the end Where the flange 12 is of least height. With this construction, although the eastings are preferably arranged in a horizontal position, a deviation therefrom will not affect the circulation of the humidifying medium through the castings n or cause it to escape therefrom except through the inclined discharge 15V.

The form of casting shown in Fig. 4 differs only slightly from that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Fig. 4, the flange 12a tapers from the side opposite the spillway to the portion adjacent the outer edges of the spillway, the same as that shown in Fig. 5. From here it slopes down so that at the inner edge of the spillway it is flush with the top surface of the casting. When this form of casting is employed, only a thin sheet of water passes over the surface, providing for more rapid evaporation of the humidifying medium.

The humidifying medium referably employed is Water which is supplied through the conduit 16 to the standpipe 17 through the pipe L 18. Nozzles 19 are connected to the standpipe 17 so as to supply the water or other humidifying medium to different castings as desired. The flow of the humidifying medium to the standpipe 17 is controlled by a valve 20, and the pressure in the standpipe 17 is controlled by a pressure valve 21 so that the pressure may be adjusted and will remain constant thereafter until again altered by adjustment of the valve 21.

The castings 1 differ from the castings 2 in that the former are provided with a cutout portion 22, the sides of which engage the standpipe 17. Pins 23 are inserted across the eut-out portion adjacent the standpipe to hold the same immovable with respect to the castings. The' standpipe 17 is vertically supported by the special L 18 which rests on the lowermost casting. Such a construction provides for great rigidity and prevents any rattling or knocking of the standpipe in the castings which would otherwise be present Whenever there was any vibration.

The present apparatus is designed for use with steam, vapor or hot water heating systems. When used With a hot water heating l The casings are arranged with the spillways Y system, it has been found desirable to use' all the castings both for heating and humidii' ying, while when used with steam or vapor heating systems, it is unnecessary to Ilse the upper sections for humidifying, the lower sections being sutiicicnt for this purpose, and when so used the upper sections merely superheat the air which has been already saturated and heated to a certain extent.

By the use of the nozzles 19 connected to the standpipe 17 :tt-various heights, the same apparatus may be eiiiciently used with a hot water system by supplying the humidi'fying medium to the upper section and letting it dlain down, or to both the upper section and an intermediate section, or the apparatus may be converted for use with steam or vapor by supplying the humidfying medium only to an intermediate section so that the u per sections act merely to superheat an not to humidity.

Furthermore, the evaporation may be more completely controlled by the use of the nozzles 19 at different heights, a greater evaporation taking place when all the humiditying medium is supplied to the castings through the upper nozzle and less taking place when no humidifying medium is supplied to the upper sections.

Referring to Fig. 6, a modified term ot casting or heating section 24 is shown which is preferably rectangular in shape. At one fend thereof, there is an inclined trough-like spillway 25 having sides 26 to direct the flow ot the humidit'ying medium therein. rlhe spillway 25 extends outwardly from the end of the casting 24. An upwardly extending lange 27 is positioned about the edges ot the upper surface of the castingto form a recess for containing the hurnidifying medium.

The flange 27 is preferably formed with a reduced portion 28, in front of the spillway 25, forming a lip which serves to maintain a supply ot the humidii'ying medium in the casting and at the same time insures that any excess thereof will iow yover the lip 2S and down the spillway 25. Although the Harige 27 may be ot uniform height, except tor the lip portion 28, it may also be formed to taper from the end opposite the spillway gradually down to the spillway. It desired, a form of flange similar to the flange 12a, shown in Fig. 4, may also be employed with a casting of this type by omitting the lip 28 in front of the spillway.

When this form of casting is employed, due to the :tact that the spillway 25 extends outwardly from the end ot the casting, it is necessary to longitudinally stagger the castings as shown in Fig. 6 so that the receiving end of the casting extends outwardly of the spillway 25 ot the casting above. In order to connect the castings 24 together by means of the nipples 4,' the annular supporting shoulders 29 are positioned so that those adjacent'the spillway are closer to the end than the others so that when the are arranged in staggered relation they will be vertically ali ned. s in the casting reviously described, the casting 24 is provi( ed with an air passageway 30 having a flange 3l around the edges thereof to prevent any of the humidifying liquid from escaping therethrough.

Referring to Fig. 8, similar castings having a single air passageway may be connected together so that the air passageways are vertically aligned. lt is to be noted that the lower surfaces of the castings taper upwardly from the sides to the lower end of the air passageway, thus as the air passes up through the air passageway of one casting, it will rise up through the air passage of the casting above at the same time drawing in additional air over the humidifying medium, thereby forming a circulation of air through the apparatus and preventinr the formation of air pockets over the humiditying medium. lin Fig. 5 the casting is provided with two air passageways 11a instead of the single air passageway 1l. lt desired, instead ot forming the structure of similar castings as shown in Fi 8, castings having an unequal number o air passageways may be employed in alternate relation as shown in Fig. 9. 'lhis construction proyides for an even better circulation ot air through the apparatus, due to the tortuous path which it must take because ot the staggered relation ot the air passageways.

- The casting shown in Fig. 7, diders from those shown in Fig. 6 only in that two air passageways 30a are employed'instead ot the single air passageway 30. rllhese two forms may also be employed alternately to form the apparatus with the same result as when the form shown in Figs. 3, t and 5 are combined.

ln y the operation oi the apparatus, the hurniditying medium enters a casting 1 from one ot the nozzles 19., and when the level of the humiditying medium reaches the upper edge ot the Harige adjacent the spillway, it Hows down and into the recessed portion ot the castin below and so on down through all the castlngs to the bottom one from which any excess is'drawn od through the outlet 7.

By means of the pressure valve 2l, the flow ot the water through the upper casting 19 may he controlled so that once the recessed portions ot the castings are full, very little of the humidifying medium in excess of that dissipated through evaporation will tlow into the section fed by the nozzle 19. The whole apparatus is automatic and after once being set requires no further adjustment, for it is well known that in cold weather the air is very dry and contains considerably less moisture than in warm weather. As the radiator is naturally used morel for heating purposes in cold weather than iii warm weather, a greater amount of evaporation takes plage, keeping the humidityof the atmosphere r'elatively constant at all times.

VVh'ile I have shown and described various preferred embodiments of this structure, it will ,be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereof may he made without departing from the spirit and `scope, of -this invention and therefore I wish to be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device. of the character described, a. hollow casting for circulating' a heating iiiediiliii and having an exposed recessed portioii for containing a huiiiidifying medium, one side of said casting having a` ciit-oiit portion to form au inclined spillway extending do\\ii\\'aidly below the casting down which the excess of the huiiiidi'lying medium flows to a casting therebelow.

2. In a device of the cliaractei described, a hollow casting for circulating a heating medium and having an exposed recessed portion for containingir a huniidifying medium, one side of said casting having a cut-out portion to form an inclined spillway Wit-l1 the sides thereof extending below the bottom of said casting and converging centrally of the cut-out portion.

3. In a. device of the character described, a hollow casting for circulating a heating medium and having a ange around the upper surface thereof forming a recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium, and an inclined spillway extending downwardly helow said casting, said flange having a reduced portion adjacent said spillway to permit any excess of the humidifying medium to flow down over the spillway to the casting below.

4. Iii a device of the, character described, a hollow casting for circulating a heating medium and having a flange around the 11pper surface thereof forming a recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium,

and an inclined spillway at one side extend-l ing downwardly below said casting, said flange tapering down to the surface of said casting adjacent said spillway to permit any excess of the hiiinidifying medium to fiow down over the spillway to the casting next below.

In a device of the character described, a hollow casting for circulating a heating medium and having a Harige around the upper surface thereof forming a recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium, and an inclined spillway extending downwardly below said casting, said ange being of greatest height at the side of the casting opposite the spillway and tapering down to and being of less height atthe portion adjacent said spillway to permit any excess of the huinidifying medium to iiow down over the discharge to the casting below.

6. In a device of the character described,

a hollow casting for 'circulating a heating medium and having an exposed recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium, and an inclined toboggan-shaped spillway extending outwardly from one side of said casting and downwardly below the bottom thereof to permit any excess of the humidifying medium to flow down over said spillway to a casting below. v 7 In a device of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough.l said heating sections having exposed recessed portions for containing a humidifying medium, and inclined spillways extendnig downwardly from said sections and lying within the vertical planes bounding the sides of said sections over which the excess of'humidifying medium of one section Hows to the section next below.

8. In a device of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed castings connected together for circulatiiig a heating medium therethrough, said castings having exposed recessed portions for containing a humidifying medium, and an inclined spillway extending outwardly and downwardly from the opposite ends of alternate castings, said castings being arranged 1n staggered relation with the spillway ends of the castings disposed inwardly of the corresponding ends of the castings next below, whereby the humidifying medium iows downwardly over the spillways into the outwardly extending ends of the castings next below.

9. In .a device of the character described, comprismg a plurality of spaced and superposed hollow castings connected together for circulating a heating medium therethrough and haylng recessed portions for containing a humldifylng medium, spillways for discharging t e excess of humidifying medium 1n a casting to the casting next below, a supply line for supplying a humidifying medium to certain of said castings and means for controlling the flow through the supply line to said individual castings whereby all of said sections may be used for heating and humidifying 'the atmosphere, or the upper sections may be merely used to superheat the atmosphere already heated and humidified by the sections below.

10. In a device of the character described, a hollow casting for circulating a heating medium and having an exposed recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium, and an inclined spillway extending downwardly below siad casting, the side of said recessed portion being reduced adjacent said spillway to permit any excess of humidlfying medium to flow over said reduced portion and down said spillway to a casting below.

11. In a device of the character described, a hollow casting for circulating a heating medium and having an exposed recessed portion for containing a humidifying medium, and an inclined spillway extending downwardly below said casting, the side of said recessed p rrtion tapering down to the bottom of said r4v :essed portion adjacent said spillway to permit any excess of humidifying medium to flow down over said spillway to a casting below.

12. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, certain of said sections having a single air passageway extending therethrough and others of said sections having a plurality of air passageways extending therethrough,

. sections having a single air passageway being alternately disposed with sections having a plurality of air passageways, and means on each heating section containing a humidifying medium for imparting the humidity to the heated air.

13. A device ofthe class described comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough,

ing a humidifying medium for imparting I the humidity to the heated air.

14. In a device of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed hollow castings connected together for circulating a heating medium therethrough and having recessed portions on their upper faces for containing a humidifying medium such as Water, spillways for discharging the excess of humidifying medium contained in the recessed portion of a casting to the recessed portion of the casting next below, a supply line for delivering the humidifying medium to recessed portions of certain of said castings, and means for controlling independently the delivery of the humidifying medium to some of said recessed portions of the individual castings.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GEORGE D. DOHERTY. 

